Yesterday Bohdin and Nyla had the last of their six scheduled swim lessons. By the end they had both passed the swim test which is swimming unaided to the ropes and back which is maybe 60 feet total. I told them that they were now terrible swimmers which is a huge improvement over the nonswimmers they were several weeks ago. I signed them up for more lessons. The next step is to become decent swimmers. We met E- at the pool this morning and her mom commented on how comfortable the kids looked in the water. The swim lessons made a huge difference with that. E- was hesitant about getting in and never let go of the side for the few minutes she was in. The shallow end is still pretty deep and she couldn't touch the bottom. Nyla can't touch the bottom either but Bohdin can. We never made it to the pool prior to the swim lessons but if we had I can imagine Nyla clinging uncomfortably to the side of the pool.
Nyla developed a rash on her arm late last week that spread over the weekend. It appeared to be some sort of bite but we weren't sure. Since she had no symptoms with it we didn't take her to the ER. Monday morning it looked like a bulls eye rash so I had to call the doctor. Nyla is on antibiotics just in case it is Lyme disease. I don't think she has it but since there is a chance she will take antibiotics for at least two weeks. I don't mess around with Lyme disease since I know somebody suffering from it. Nyla had her blood drawn but the test isn't 100% accurate.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Swimming
The kids went swimming five times this week which has kept us pretty busy. Nyla's stubbornness and athletic ability is paying off and she is now a better swimmer than Bohdin. When we go to the pool Bohdin just wants to play while Nyla only wants to practice. They only have two lessons left but we'll continue to go the pool for practice on our own. Cora doesn't like getting in the water but Bohdin and Nyla love it. Our visit was cut short on Friday because soon after we got in the pool I discovered a giant tick in Nyla's ear. I don't know if she picked it up at the pool or at home. They didn't have tweezers so we didn't stay too long.
Buddy took the kids swimming on Saturday so I took Cora to the store. It is so much easier to only have one kid. She was quite patient while we waited in a long line. As we waited she heard lots of sounds. The motorcycles in particular grabbed her attention. When they went by on the nearby street she would yell "motorcycle" and "loud" and then cover her ears. Her shouting was much louder than the motorcycle but she didn't seem to believe me. I wanted to cover my ears for that.
Cora has used the potty a few times this week. I've been hesitant to take her out of night time diapers because she is not quite ready but since she has been dehydrated this week I went ahead and did it. She's pretty close but I would rather be safe. This week she hasn't been wearing a diaper so I make her sit on the potty in the morning. She used to be kind of scared of the potty. Then she went through a phase where she would happily sit and hold her pee as long as possible before getting up and asking for a diaper. This week she finally understands that she is supposed to pee on the potty. She doesn't care for it but she will grudgingly try it in the morning if I read books to her while she sits. She'll do almost anything for a book.
Buddy took the kids swimming on Saturday so I took Cora to the store. It is so much easier to only have one kid. She was quite patient while we waited in a long line. As we waited she heard lots of sounds. The motorcycles in particular grabbed her attention. When they went by on the nearby street she would yell "motorcycle" and "loud" and then cover her ears. Her shouting was much louder than the motorcycle but she didn't seem to believe me. I wanted to cover my ears for that.
Cora has used the potty a few times this week. I've been hesitant to take her out of night time diapers because she is not quite ready but since she has been dehydrated this week I went ahead and did it. She's pretty close but I would rather be safe. This week she hasn't been wearing a diaper so I make her sit on the potty in the morning. She used to be kind of scared of the potty. Then she went through a phase where she would happily sit and hold her pee as long as possible before getting up and asking for a diaper. This week she finally understands that she is supposed to pee on the potty. She doesn't care for it but she will grudgingly try it in the morning if I read books to her while she sits. She'll do almost anything for a book.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Better
Cora was feeling well enough Monday morning to be back to her opinionated self. I wasn't glad that she was sick but I did enjoy the break from the fussiness. Monday morning she refused the bland food I gave her and insisted on cheese for her toast and then just ate the cheese. She did throw up once more Tuesday night in the middle of dinner but then went right on eating.
Monday night Nyla was being dramatic and complaining about all of the scary monsters upstairs. Nyla wasn't really scared and she didn't really think there were any monsters but Cora believed it. She was clinging to me in fear. Nyla then tried to convince her that their were no monsters but it was too late. Nyla scared Cora again last night but I forgot how. Cora scares really easily. Loud noises often frighten her. She heard a train whistle while we were at the playground last night and practically jumped into my arms in fear. When I explained the sound she felt a lot better and said "choo choo". Airplanes used to scare her but now she likes them and points them out. Geese have startled her in the past as well as sirens.
We're on our way to the art museum right now to meet up some other kids.
Monday night Nyla was being dramatic and complaining about all of the scary monsters upstairs. Nyla wasn't really scared and she didn't really think there were any monsters but Cora believed it. She was clinging to me in fear. Nyla then tried to convince her that their were no monsters but it was too late. Nyla scared Cora again last night but I forgot how. Cora scares really easily. Loud noises often frighten her. She heard a train whistle while we were at the playground last night and practically jumped into my arms in fear. When I explained the sound she felt a lot better and said "choo choo". Airplanes used to scare her but now she likes them and points them out. Geese have startled her in the past as well as sirens.
We're on our way to the art museum right now to meet up some other kids.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Father's Day
It's a good thing we sort of celebrated Father's Day early because Cora is not feeling well today. Earlier this week Buddy mentioned he wanted an ereader. Todd had recommended a book series while we were in Texas and Buddy discovered it was faster to check it out as an a ebook than wait for the paper copy. Because it was days before Father's Day an ereader became a perfect present idea. We bought it on Thursday and kids gave it to him that night instead of waiting. Bohdin and Nyla also made him chocolate chip cookies. They did almost everything for the dough besides separating the egg. I did all of the baking. So far the kids have used it more than Buddy. They are enjoying the streaming videos. One of Bohdin's favorite shows is Nova and all episodes are available. He talked my ear off yesterday about the periodic table after watching the chemistry episode.
Friday Cora was super fussy. I tried to get her down for an early nap but was unsuccessful after one hour. She got up and had lunch and we tried again. Once again she couldn't sleep. I spent the whole afternoon trying to get her to sleep. She was very sad by five. Buddy took a walk with her when he came home because we were all tired of her crying. Cora loves walks.
Saturday evening Cora threw up and continued to vomit repeatedly throughout the night. She couldn't keep anything down and slept very poorly. By the time it was morning she had thrown up close to 20 times. I didn't keep close count but I know it was in the upper teens. Ironically she was in a much better mood than she had been in for quite some time. This morning she was feeling better and she hasn't thrown up quite as much. For the most part she is very good spirits. She was playing puppy with Nyla earlier today and she is watching Bohdin and Nyla do something funny in the other room.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Swim Lessons
Friday was the annual homeschool fair. It's hard to believe that it was our third one. We've lived here longer than anywhere else in many years. I warned the kids that it would be a little boring for them while I browsed the books but they would be able to go play afterward. It didn't make a difference and Bohdin started complaining soon after we arrived. The event is held at a park right next to the playground. There are tons of kids running around. I decided that if they stayed together they could go to the playground. Cora of course had to stay with me but Bohdin and Nyla were glad to run off. It was nice to look around without them. Soon after they left I found a person selling a lot of Playmobil stuff. I found Bohdin and Nyla and brought them back to look at it. The stuff was selling for really low prices. I later realized part of that reason is because everything was incomplete. It was still a good deal. We spent a lot of time at the booth and came home with way more Playmobil than we needed. Nyla is very happy with her carry along house which came with some random people and furniture. Bohdin loves his two new Viking ships and post office. We bought the two Viking ships with various accessories for $5 or $10. That's a bargain. They are missing oars and probably some other stuff but we can order that if needed. Afterward, Bohdin and Nyla went back to the playground while I looked around. When I went to the playground I couldn't find them. I hoped they didn't wander back off toward the sale because they would have been difficult to find. That's why I told them they needed to stay in the play area. A minute later they walked up with the guy from the Playmobil booth. Bodhin had become concerned that I was taking so long (I swear I wasn't) and went there for help. We left soon afterward.
We hardly saw Bohdin and Nyla on Saturday. They played and played with their new toys. Now on Monday the bloom is gone. They did play with them but I didn't have to drag them away to eat. Nyla still likes the house and has it set up nicely. She worries that Cora will ruin it and rightfully so. She has already done it once. Bohdin has set up an elaborate boat scene. I don't remember who was attacking who. They don't like to play Playmobil when Cora is awake because she ruins their scenes. When she wakes up and I bring her downstairs Nyla comes running with her arms waving telling me not to let Cora in the basement.
I just remembered a funny thing that happened last week. Nyla, Cora, and I were at the kitchen table. I was reading a book to Nyla who was sitting next to me. Cora was across from us. The first line of the book was "Mom, there is a ghost in the house!" I read with as much expression as I can muster and it was enough that day to scare Cora. She looked over she shoulder in alarm then came running to me. Bohdin heard me reading and came over to listen as well. The next page of the story has the kids telling their mom what they heard to make them think there was a ghost in the house. The kids in the story had heard a scraping sound. At that moment, Bohdin decided to drag the cooler over to the table so he could sit on it and see the book while I read. The cooler made a scraping sound as it slid across the tile. Once again Cora was startled. The rest of the book was uneventful and there was no ghost only a squirrel so it ended well.
The kids started swim lesson today. I didn't anticipate that it would take so long to set them up. They will be going twice per week for the next three weeks. I set up semi private so I wouldn't have to drive so often and I thought it would be better for Bohdin. My concern for Bohdin was unnecessary. He did great. We've noticed how comfortable he has been in water recently so we put him in at the right time. He's come a long way from the two year old who was scared of going in the pool at times. He could be swimming soon. Nyla did fine as well. She was scared at times which hindered her. We have to go back tomorrow. Today Cora and I just walked around the pool endlessly but tomorrow I might bring a bathing suit and get her in. I wish I could drop her off at the child care and go exercise but she isn't ready for that yet. Bohdin was the same way at her age and now I can hardly keep him around in public. At the grocery store tonight he kept asking permission to go to different parts of the store.
We hardly saw Bohdin and Nyla on Saturday. They played and played with their new toys. Now on Monday the bloom is gone. They did play with them but I didn't have to drag them away to eat. Nyla still likes the house and has it set up nicely. She worries that Cora will ruin it and rightfully so. She has already done it once. Bohdin has set up an elaborate boat scene. I don't remember who was attacking who. They don't like to play Playmobil when Cora is awake because she ruins their scenes. When she wakes up and I bring her downstairs Nyla comes running with her arms waving telling me not to let Cora in the basement.
I just remembered a funny thing that happened last week. Nyla, Cora, and I were at the kitchen table. I was reading a book to Nyla who was sitting next to me. Cora was across from us. The first line of the book was "Mom, there is a ghost in the house!" I read with as much expression as I can muster and it was enough that day to scare Cora. She looked over she shoulder in alarm then came running to me. Bohdin heard me reading and came over to listen as well. The next page of the story has the kids telling their mom what they heard to make them think there was a ghost in the house. The kids in the story had heard a scraping sound. At that moment, Bohdin decided to drag the cooler over to the table so he could sit on it and see the book while I read. The cooler made a scraping sound as it slid across the tile. Once again Cora was startled. The rest of the book was uneventful and there was no ghost only a squirrel so it ended well.
The kids started swim lesson today. I didn't anticipate that it would take so long to set them up. They will be going twice per week for the next three weeks. I set up semi private so I wouldn't have to drive so often and I thought it would be better for Bohdin. My concern for Bohdin was unnecessary. He did great. We've noticed how comfortable he has been in water recently so we put him in at the right time. He's come a long way from the two year old who was scared of going in the pool at times. He could be swimming soon. Nyla did fine as well. She was scared at times which hindered her. We have to go back tomorrow. Today Cora and I just walked around the pool endlessly but tomorrow I might bring a bathing suit and get her in. I wish I could drop her off at the child care and go exercise but she isn't ready for that yet. Bohdin was the same way at her age and now I can hardly keep him around in public. At the grocery store tonight he kept asking permission to go to different parts of the store.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Walk in the Woods
The weather has been relatively pleasant lately due to low humidity. We took advantage and took a walk through the woods to the playground. We packed a picnic lunch so Bohdin, Nyla, and Piggy all had backpacks. I just had a Cora on my back. The kids usually enjoy a walk through the woods. Nyla was a little slow because she was tired. On the way back Cora wanted to walk and she surprised me by walking the entire way home. It's around a mile over hilly uneven terrain.
Last weekend Buddy installed a fence around the drop off to the lower patio. We have a walkout basement but only part of it is walk out. Since the upper area was cleaned up, Cora likes to get way too close to the edge.
I quickly snapped this picture as I grabbed the camera so the lighting is off. Nyla drew this today of me, Nyla, and a family that was here to visit today. Nyla enjoyed playing with the five year old girl. We saw her again later at the Pinkilicious party at the library.
Bohdin often complains about doing schoolwork so Nyla begging to do school work is a refreshing change. Last week we started her kindergarten math and she loved it. Right now it's super easy so she zoomed through it. She did 21 lessons one night and 17 the next. She's slowed down now. There was a point where she became frustrated because she was having difficulty writing the number 5. When Bohdin was little I wrote the numbers for him and I offered to do the same for her. She stubbornly said no and wanted to practice more. It was nice to appreciate her stubborness for a change.
Last weekend was the library book sale. I took Bohdin and Nyla to help and left Cora at home because she doesn't help. Nyla's job is to guard our books while Bohdin and I browse. We would come back with books and sift through them later. I put back a few of my choices and quite a few of Bohdin's choices. As I was taking one last look at the books on the table Bohdin came over and saw the large pile of rejects. He sifted though them and put three back in our box. One was about gun control. One was about Air Force One and the last was about head lice. I thought he would never read any of them but the following morning he read the head lice book. As I was doing tick checks on him this week he wondered if he had head lice.